Loran Hills age 85, of Mitchell, died Friday June 4, 2010 at Firesteel Health Care Center. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday at the Congregational United Church of Christ. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the American Legion Cemetery with military rites.

Loran Hills, son of Carroll John Hills and Margaret Ruth (Voorhis) Hills, was born May 15, 1925 in Oacoma, SD. He grew up and received his schooling in Oacoma, graduating from Oacoma High School. Loran entered the USAF on November 11, 1943 and served in WWII. He was stationed in Foggia, Italy where he achieved the rank of corporal and received 10 Battle Stars, a Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on October 11, 1945.

After his discharge, Loran came back to Oacoma where he worked a short time for the Bureau of Mines. In 1946, he moved to Spearfish and attended Black Hills State, graduating in 1950 with a Degree in Physical Science.

Loran was united in marriage with Mildred Giedd on August 16, 1947 in Oacoma, SD. After he graduated, Loran and Millie then moved to Sundance, WY where he began his nearly 40 year teaching career, teaching both Junior and Senior High School Science. The couple then moved to Chamberlain, SD where Loran taught high school chemistry and physics until 1955. The family then moved to Mitchell where Loran taught chemistry and math at Mitchell High School until 1957. In 1957, he decided to pursue his Master Degree at Stanford University and moved his family to Palo Alto, CA. After graduating from Stanford with a Masters Degree in Teaching Chemistry, the family moved to Seattle where Loran taught Advanced Science for one summer.

The family moved back to Mitchell in the fall of 1958 where Loran took a teaching position at Mitchell High School, teaching chemistry, math, and physics and drivers education. Over the next few years, Loran enrolled in Doctoral Studies at SDSU in Brookings. In 1961 Loran began his Professorship and Head of the Chemistry Department Position at Dakota Wesleyan University until retiring in 1988.

His accomplishments were many in his 28 years at Dakota Wesleyan, he was instrumental in establishing the MLT Programs as well as a satellite program in Miles City, MT; he led the effort which resulted in the establishment of the computer department; served as acting Dean and was honored in the publication Whos Who in Outstanding Educators in America. His main love was teaching. In particular he was very fond of his Nursing students; helping many of them get through their chemistry courses. He was known all over campus as Firm, But Fair and beloved by those who knew him. In his off time on campus, he could be found playing pinochle in the snack bar with his colleagues.

He was a member of the Mitchell Congregational Church, the Elks Club, the American Legion, NRA, and Society of the Sigma XI. He served as a scoutmaster and as an Explorer Post Advisor. Loran was an avid hunter. He loved hunting deer, antelope, turkey and varmints, in particular, prairie dogs. He was also a birder and photography nut.

Grateful for having shared his life are his three children, Brad (Marilyn) Hills, Crooks, SD, Curt (Judine) Hills, Rochester, MN, Kelly Hills and her significant other, Bill Schnider, Chester, SD; seven grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two brothers, Jean (Donna) Hills, Anacortes, WA, Thomas Hills, Spearfish, SD; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Hills on December 4, 2009; his parents; two brothers, Robert and Jerry.